Inflatable blanket having access slits

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to blankets for use with forced air convection systems, wherein the blankets allow for access to portions of a patient&#39;s body before, during or after surgery. In addition, the blankets according to the present invention allow versatility in use by providing access to portions of the patient&#39;s body before, during, or after surgery, but which may also completely cover the patient after the surgical procedure is complete. To accomplish these purposes, the blankets according to the present invention include seals or separation lines which extend into the interior of the blanket and which may be separated to allow access to portions of the patient&#39;s body.

BACKGROUND

Hypothermia is a condition of subnormal body temperature and presentsserious consequences to the patient suffering therefrom. It has beenshown that nearly seventy five percent of all patients who undergosurgical procedures develop some degree of hypothermia. This equates toapproximately fourteen million patients a year in the United Statesalone. The hypothermic condition is brought on by many factors includinganesthesia, the air conditioning of the operating room, and the infusionof cold blood, I-V solutions, or irrigating fluids.

Several methods and products have been developed to help preventhypothermia from occurring; such as the use of infrared lamps, cottonblankets, and warm water mattresses. However, none of these methods andproducts have proven completely successful. In fact, it has been shownthat these methods and products can not even prevent the patients fromlosing their endogenous heat. (See Journal of Post Anesthesia Nursing,Vol. 5, No. 4, August 1990, pp 254-263).

Another method of helping to prevent hypothermia that has proven veryeffective is the use of forced warm air convection. As early as 1937, arefrigeration blanket using cold air convection was suggested in U.S.Pat. No. 2,093,834 to Gaugler. This blanket included a plurality oflayers for channeling airflow from an inlet port. Non-inflatableportions were provided around the periphery of the blanket to secure theblanket around the body.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,512,559 to Williams also relates to a blanket forproviding cooled air to a person. The blanket in Williams comprised aplurality of thin sheets of material connected together at a pluralityof discrete locations and connected together in a continuous line aboutthe peripheral edge. An air inlet was provided to communicate with spacebetween the sheets to allow cool air to be supplied thereto.

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,188 to Augustine, et al., a forced air convectionsystem which can supply either cool or warm air to a blanket isdescribed. The blanket in Augustine, et al. comprises a plurality ofinflatable hollow tubes having their interiors connected togetherthrough transverse openings. An entry port is provided in the uppersurface of the blanket for admitting the cool or warm air and small exitports are provided through the lower surface to allow the cool or warmair to flow out toward a body covered by the blanket.

Other patents relating to the supply of cool or warm air to a personthrough an inflatable blanket include U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,388 to Greene,Jr.; U.S. Pat No. 4,777,802 to Feher; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,230 toVoss; U.S. Pat. No. 5,125,238 to Ragan et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,100 toHickle et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,102 to Augustine et al; U.S. Pat. No.5,324,320 to Augustine et al; U.S. Pat. No. 5,343,579 to Dickerhoff etal; U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,439 to Dickerhoff et al; and U.S. Pat. No.5,384,924 to Dickerhoff et al. Each of these patents describe blanketshaving various attributes and configurations to supply cool or warm airto the person.

While there are a number of patents noted above and others not mentionedwhich relate to inflatable blankets for use in supplying cool or warmair to a patient, there remains a need in the art for improvements toforced air convection systems.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the present invention to provide a blanket for aforced air convection system that allows for access to portions of apatient's body, before, during or after surgery.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a blanket for aforced air convection system which provides versatility in use byproviding access to portions of the patient's body during surgery, andmay also completely cover the patient after the surgical procedure iscomplete.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objects and others are accomplished according to the presentinvention by providing a blanket for a forced air convective systemwhich includes a separation line which allows access to portions of thepatient's body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blanket for a forced air convection systemaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blanket for a forced air convection systemaccording to a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blanket for a forced air convection systemaccording to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation view, with portions broken away, ofa blanket in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blanket, generally designated by referencenumeral 100, for a forced air convection system, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In particular, blanket 100,comprises a lower sheet of material (not visible), and an upper sheet ofmaterial 110, sealed together around respective peripheral edges to forma cavity therebetween. The lower sheet and upper sheet 110, may furtherbe connected together in any one of several desirable configurations,such as spot welds (see FIG. 2), interconnected columns, interconnectedtubes, etc. The blanket 100, includes at least one inlet port 130, forattachment to a source of forced air which will be used to inflate theblanket 100, and provide either warming or cooling air to the patient.As shown in FIG. 1, the inlet port 130, is formed through the surfacesof the blanket 100, at an interior location spaced away from the edgesof the blanket 100. Other configurations are equally acceptable and arewithin the scope of the present invention, as will be further discussedbelow. The lower sheet of the blanket 100, preferably has a plurality ofperforations or small exit holes formed therethrough which allow air toescape from the blanket 100, toward a patient.

The blanket 100, also includes a center line seal 120, extending from ahead end of the blanket 100, for a predetermined distance toward a footend of the blanket 100. The center line seal 120, is formed by sealingthe lower sheet to the upper sheet 110, along the center of the blanket100, for the desired length.

In use the blanket 100, may be separated along center line seal 120, toallow portions of the blanket to be folded away from contact with thepatient and thereby reveal desired areas of the patient upon which itmay be necessary to perform a surgical or other medical procedure.Separation may be accomplished by cutting through the center line seal120. Preferably, the center line seal 120, is provided with aperforation which allows the center line 120, to be separated by an easytearing procedure.

In a preferred embodiment, the blanket 100, includes fastening means,along at least one edge of the center line seal 120, which allow theportions of the blanket 100, separated by the center line seal 120, tobe held together when it is desired to cover the patient completely. Thefastening means may be of any suitable form, such as tie straps, hookand loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers, adhesives, tape, etc.

The center line seal 120, may extend for any desired length, butpreferably extends far enough to enable the entire chest and torso areaof the patient to be exposed. Preferably the center line seal 120,extends from about 20 to about 50 inches.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a blanket, generally designated by referencenumeral 200, for a forced air convection system, according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention. The blanket 200, comprises a lowersheet of material (not visible), and an upper sheet of material 210,sealed together around respective peripheral edges to form a cavitytherebetween. In FIG. 2, the lower sheet and upper sheet 210, arefurther connected together at a plurality of spot welds 240, whichprovide a quilt-like pattern to the blanket 200, upon inflation. Theblanket 200, includes at least one inlet port 230, which as shown inFIG. 2, is formed along the bottom edge of the blanket 200. The inletport 230, is attached to a source of forced air which will be used toinflate the blanket 200, and provide either warming or cooling air tothe patient. Other locations for the inlet port. 230, are equallyacceptable, such as at the corners of the blanket 200, or anywhere alongedges of the blanket 200. The lower sheet of the blanket 200, preferablyhas a plurality of perforations or small exit holes formed therethroughwhich allow air to escape from the blanket 200, toward a patient.

The blanket 200, also includes a center line seal 220, extending from ahead end of the blanket 200, for a predetermined distance toward a footend of the blanket 200. The center line seal 220, is formed by sealingthe lower sheet to the upper sheet 210, along the center of the blanket200, for the desired length.

In use the blanket 200, may be separated along center line seal 220, toallow portions of the blanket to be folded away from contact with thepatient and thereby reveal desired areas of the patient upon which itmay be necessary to perform a surgical or other medical procedure.Separation may be accomplished by cutting through the center line seal220. Preferably, the center line seal 220, is provided with aperforation which allows the center line 220, to be separated by an easytearing procedure.

In a preferred embodiment, the blanket 200, includes fastening means,along at least one edge of the center line seal 220, which allow theportions of the blanket 200, separated by the center line seal 220, tobe held together when it is desired to cover the patient completely. Thefastening means may be of any suitable form, such as tie straps, hookand loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers, adhesives, tape, etc.

The center line seal 220, may extend for any desired length, butpreferably extends far enough to enable the entire chest and torso areaof the patient to be exposed. Preferably the center line seal 220,extends from about 20 to about 50 inches.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blanket, generally designated by referencenumeral 300, for a forced air convection system, according to a furtherembodiment of the present invention. The blanket 300, comprises a lowersheet of material 305, and an upper sheet of material 310, sealedtogether around respective peripheral edges 315 to form a cavitytherebetween, see also FIG. 4. In FIG. 3, the lower sheet and uppersheet 310, are further connected together at a plurality of spot welds340, which provide a quilt-like pattern to the blanket 300, uponinflation. The blanket 300, includes at least one inlet port 330, whichas shown in FIG. 3, is formed along the bottom edge of the blanket 300.The inlet port 330, is attached to a source of forced air which will beused to inflate the blanket 300, and provide either warming or coolingair to the patient. Other locations for the inlet port 330, are equallyacceptable, such as at the corners of the blanket 300, or anywhere alongedges of the blanket 300. The lower sheet of the blanket 300, preferablyhas a plurality of perforations or small exit holes formed therethroughwhich allow air to escape from the blanket 300, toward a patient.

The blanket 300, also includes a separation seal 320, extending from ahead end of the blanket 300, for a predetermined distance toward a footend of the blanket 300. The separation seal 320, is offset from thecenter of the blanket 300, and is formed by sealing the lower sheet tothe upper sheet 310, for the desired length.

In use the blanket 300, may be separated along separation seal 320, toallow portions of the blanket to be folded away from contact with thepatient and thereby reveal desired areas of the patient upon which itmay be necessary to perform a surgical or other medical procedure.Separation may be accomplished by cutting through the separation seal320. Preferably, the separation seal 320, is provided with a perforationwhich allows the separation seal 320, to be separated by an easy tearingprocedure.

In a preferred embodiment, the blanket 300, includes fastening means,along at least one edge of the separation seal 320, which allow theportions of the blanket 300, separated by the separation seal 320, to beheld together when it is desired to cover the patient completely. Thefastening means may be of any suitable form, such as tie straps, hookand loop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers, adhesives, tape, etc, asrepresented schematically by fastening means 325 shown in FIG. 3.

The separation seal 320, may extend for any desired length, butpreferably extends from about 20 to about 50 inches.

Also in a preferred embodiment, the blanket 300, includes a head cut outarea 350, for accommodating the patients head when blanket 300, is inuse.

The provision of the center line seal in the blankets according to thepresent invention enable use of the blankets in a wide variety ofconfigurations. In particular, the center line seal may be onlypartially opened so that a limited portion of the patient is exposed, orthe center line seal may be fully opened if a greater portion of thepatient is to be exposed. Even if the center line seal is fully opened,it is still possible to expose smaller portions of the patient, simplyby folding less of the blanket back.

The invention has been described above with reference to a center lineseal. However, the present invention is equally applicable to any sealwhich would aid in exposing selective portions of a patient. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the center line seal extends from the head end of theblanket. However, a seal could extend from any edge of the blanket,including the foot end, or either side of the blanket. Additionally,multiple seals could be provided in any of the configurations notedabove. Also, these seals may extend along parallel lines with respect tothe edges of the blanket or may extend at different angles into theinterior of the blanket.

Seals may also be provided entirely within the interior of the blanket,rather then extending from an edge. Such seals may be opened to allowtubes or other medical apparatus to be admitted or egressedtherethrough. Preferably, such seals would be in the form of a cross or"X" so that the opening could be sufficiently opened to serve itspurpose. Such a seal would also allow very specific portions of thepatient to be revealed.

As noted above, the inlet port may be formed at almost any positionwhich allows inflation medium to be introduced to the interior of theblanket. In particular, the inlet port may be provided along an edge ofthe blanket, at a corner of the blanket, or through the upper or lowersheet of the blanket within the interior surface area thereof.

The blankets according to the present invention provide for greatversatility of use. In particular, the blankets of the present inventionallow for access to portions of a patient's body during surgery.Further, the blankets of the present invention provide access toportions of the patient's body during surgery, but may also completelycover the patient after the surgical procedure is complete.

The blankets shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 represent full body blankets but thepresent invention would be equally applicable to blankets intended tocover only portions of the patient, such as an upper body blanket or alower body blanket. The blankets according to the present invention arealso equally useful in both adult and pediatric sizes. The blanketsabove have been described primarily as relating to blankets for use inthe operating room, however, it will be recognized that the presentinvention is equally applicable for blankets to be used in other areasof the hospital, such as the PACU. Moreover, as noted, the blanketsaccording to the present invention may be used to provide either warmingor cooling to a patient.

The blankets of the present invention may be formed of any suitablematerial capable of being sealed together at selected positions andhaving sufficient strength to allow inflation and adequate airdistribution within the inflated portion. Such materials includeplastics, plastic non-wovens, wood pulp compositions, laminated plasticand wood pulp materials, and combinations thereof.

The foregoing has been a description of certain preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, but is not intended to limit the invention in anyway. Rather, malay modifications, variations and changes in details maybe made within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inflatable blanket for a forced air convectionsystem comprising:an upper sheet of material having a generallyrectangular shape with an upper end, a lower end and two sides; a lowersheet of material having a generally rectangular shape with an upperend, a lower end and two sides; wherein said upper sheet and said lowersheet are sealed together around their peripheral edges at theirrespective upper ends, lower ends and sides, to create an inflatablecavity having an upper end, a lower end, and two sides therebetween; aninflation port connecting said inflatable cavity with the atmosphere andthrough which inflation medium may be introduced to said inflatablecavity to inflate said blanket; and wherein said upper sheet and saidlower sheet are further sealed together along at least one separableseal line, such that when said separable seal line is separated,portions of said blanket may be moved independently of other portions ofsaid blanket so as to expose desired areas of a patient on which saidblanket is being utilized, further including fastening means locatedalong at least one edge of said seal line for holding portions of saidblanket on opposite sides of said seal line together after said sealline has been separated.
 2. A blanket according to claim 1, wherein saidseal line extends from said upper end toward said lower end of saidinflatable cavity and is located approximately midway between said sidesof said inflatable cavity.
 3. A blanket according to claim 2, whereinsaid seal line extends for a distance of about 20 to about 50 inches. 4.A blanket according to claim 3, wherein said seal line extends for about20 inches.
 5. A blanket according to claim 3, wherein said seal lineextends for about 50 inches.
 6. A blanket according to claim 1, whereinsaid seal line extends from one of said upper end, said lower end, orsaid sides of said inflatable cavity, and extends in a parallel line tosaid upper end, said lower end, or said sides of said inflatable cavity.7. A blanket according to claim 1, wherein said blanket includesmultiple seal lines.
 8. A blanket according to claim 1, wherein saidseal line includes a perforation along which said seal line isseparable.
 9. A blanket according to claim 1, wherein said fasteningmeans are selected from the group consisting of tie straps, hook andloop fasteners, buttons, snaps, zippers, adhesives, and tape.
 10. Ablanket according to claim 1, wherein said upper sheet and said lowersheet are further connected together by means selected from the groupconsisting of spot welds.
 11. A blanket according to claim 1, whereinsaid inflation port is provided through said upper sheet at a locationwithin the interior surface area of said blanket.
 12. A blanketaccording to claim 1, wherein said inflation port is provided along,said lower end.
 13. A blanket according to claim 1, wherein said blanketincludes a head cut out area.